Pitcher of the week: Tech did enough to secure the No. 8 seed

The Red Raiders traveled to Oklahoma City last week to participate in the Big 12 tournament. Eight of the nine teams in the Big 12 participate in the tournament - that team from Austin didn’t qualify if you’re wondering - and Tim Tadlock and his club earned the top seed after winning the Big 12 conference regular season title. Tech played a total of 5 games after losing to West Virginia in the semifinals. By no means did Tech need to win this tournament as they were already a perceived lock to host a regional, but the strong showing did help them solidify a top 8 national seed.

Even in a loss, the pitcher of the week goes to the freshman Hunter Dobbins. Dobbins made his second start of the season after the Red Raiders forced a winner take all game against the Mountaineers. In his longest outing of the year, Dobbins gave up 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, and recorded 5 strikeouts in 6 innings pitched. For his second start of the year, in a game that was do-or-die, Dobbins truly showed his worth to this pitching staff. Due to the nature of the NCAA postseason and the odd pitching rotations that must be used during a deep run to the CWS, Dobbins’s performance bodes well for Tadlock and company. Tadlock may have found another starter if push comes to shove.

The Red Raiders will host their 4^th straight regional this weekend that will include the perennial mid-major power Dallas Baptist, the 2017 CWS champion Florida Gators, and Army who is in the postseason for a second straight year. Tech will face off against Army in their first game on Friday at 3pm in the double-elimination bracket.